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While most of us are scared of coming face to face with a tiny, harmless spider, can you imagine what it would be like to be standing in front of a gigantic one instead? As you would guess, the bigger a spider, the scarier they seem. But contrary to popular belief, not all large sized spiders are actually harmful! In fact, many of them are even kept as pets. For all those people who are intrigued and fascinated by these creepy crawlers, here are the names of the 5 biggest spiders in the world.

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver (Nephila)

Golden Silk Orb-Weaver

This spider is also known as the Banana Spider and belongs to the N Jurassica family that existed more than 165 million years ago. The female Golden Orb Weaver grows up to 2 inches without leg span and can reach 6 inches if its leg span is taken into account. The males, however, are only half that size. While they pose no threat to humans, they can actually help you get rid of unwanted pests by feeding on them while living on their beautiful golden webs near residential areas. Their silk has also proven to have a very high biocompatibility rate and can be used for peripheral nerve growth!

Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria)

Brazilian Wandering Spider – Phoneutria

Coincidentally enough, this next spider on the list is also referred to as the Banana Spider due to its tendency to inhabit banana plants. The two spiders shouldn’t be confused though, as you’ll also find this guy on our “Most Dangerous Spiders” post while the Golden Silk Orb Weaver (the other banana spider) is generally harmless.

This spider has a leg span of 15 centimeters and has one of the most infamous venoms in South and Central America. They are called ‘wandering’ because unlike other spiders, they go hunting for their prey at night instead of waiting for them in the webs. Some of the spiders from this species have also resulted in human deaths. If the Brazilian Wandering Spider successfully injects a full dose of its venom into its victim, not only would the person suffer serious injury, he could also die.

Goliath Birdeater Spider (Theraphosa blondi)

Goliath Birdeater – Theraphosa blondi

This one is a tarantula and a humongous one at that. It belongs to the Theraphosidae family and is known to be the largest spider in the world by mass (not leg-span). A specimen is even entered in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest spider. Some members of this family have been seen to feed humming birds – which is where they get the name ‘birdeater’ from. They are also known to feed on other small animals in addition to large insects. With a leg span of almost 12 inches, they can weigh more than 6 ounces. The look pretty scary, but you shouldn’t worry to much about a bite from one of these guys. Their bite has been compared to the sting of a wasp or hornet, mildly uncomfortable.

Brazilian Salmon Pink Tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana)

Brazilian Salmon Pink Tarantula – Lasiodora parahybana

Another “bird eating” tarantula, this Brazilian menina is almost as large as her cousin as it can grow up to 11.5 inches in leg-span and can weight up to 3.5 ounces. First discovered in 1917, they gained popularity as a pet for their incredible size but docile nature and relatively harmless bite. Their fangs can grow quite large though, up to an inch in length, so while the venom is not very toxic, its bite can cause quite a bit of damage.

Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima)

Giant Huntsman Spider

This creepy crawler belongs to the heteropoda genus and is regarded as the largest spider in the world by leg span. While its body length is not more than 4 inches long, it has a leg span of close to 12 inches. Mostly found in caves, it was first discovered in 2001 in Laos.

People find spiders scary or creepy. In reality though, there are many more harmless spiders than there are those that can harm humans to any great extent. However, there are some nasty critters in the spider family that have a reputation for causing some pretty severe harm. Below are 5 of the most dangerous spiders out there.

1. Redback Spider

Australian redback spider

It is also referred to as Latrodectus hasselti scientifically. Very similar to its relative, the Black Widow, this spider is found in Australia and is very dangerous. The female redback spider is easily identified due to the presence of a stripe that is red in color on her abdomen. The female can be longer than the male, a female can measure up to one centimeter while the male is limited to a length of 4 mm. It has a neurotoxic venon that is highly dangerous to human beings. After an individual is being bitten by this spider the person can experience continuous pain up to a period of 24 hours. They can bite in case an individual moves too close to their habitat either in a crevice or touching their webs.

2. Sydney Funnel-Web Spider

Sydney funnel web spider

It has a scientific name of Atrax robustus. It is commonly found in Sydney Australia. It can bite human beings where it can lead to great injuries and death if not treated quickly. It has atracotoxin which is a compound readily found in the venom that they produce after a bite. The compound is highly dangerous to primates including man. After biting an individual the symptom of their venom in a human being is experienced in a period of less than one hour. The males are known to be more dangerous in bites as they can bite severally as a defense mechanism when threatened.

3. Brazilian Wandering Spider

Brazilian Wandering Spider – Phoneutria

It has a scientific name of phoneutria fera. Other names referring to them include banana spiders or armed spiders. These are found in the tropical parts of south America. They form the world most venomous spiders as evidenced due to their entry into the Guinness World Book of Record in the year 2010. They have derived their name Wandering Spiders due to their habit of wandering freely on the floor of the jungle at night. During day time they are known to hide themselves in the moulds of the termites. After they bite someone their venom can lead to effects such as breathing problems, loss of muscle control, after the symptoms they can lead to inflammation, paralysis and even asphyxiation.

4. Baboon Spider

Killimanjaro Mustard Bamboo Spider – Pterinochilus chordatus

It is also referred to as Harpactirinae, they are found in Africa. They are the biggest spiders on this list. They have derived their name due to their last leg segments resembling the fingers of a baboon. They can bite and become more aggressive when disturbed.

5. Black Widow

Black Widow Spider

This one has a scientific name known as Latrodectus mactans. The female is well known to be mostly black with red coloring that is often compared to the shape of an hourglass. The female is also known to eat the male after they reproduce. This brought about the name black widow. They can inject the venom continuously into an individual after they bite severally which can reach level where it can be fatal.

Spiders have thousands of species and their history goes back millions of years ago. Thanks to them, we have a natural pest controller. Check out this list for some of these species, and see if you have encountered them already.

Family Agelenidae – The Funnel Weaver Spiders

Hobo spider – Tegenaria agrestis

These spiders look very similar to the wolf spiders, except that unlike the latter, they are able to build their own webs. They are likewise lighter in build with bristly legs. Their funnel-shaped webs are normally placed near the ground, and they hide at the narrow end of the web’s tunnel while waiting for their prey. Its hiding place is usually protected by a rocks or leaves, so they are normally found outdoors.

Genus Agelenopsis or Grass Spiders

Agelenopsis naevia

Agelenopsis emertoni

Agelenopsis oklahoma

Agelenopsis potteri

Agelenopsis utahana

Hobo Spider or Funnel Web Spider

Tegenaria agrestis

Family Amaurobiidae – The Hacklemesh Weave Spiders

These spiders look very much like the funnel weaver spiders, except for their shorter legs and smaller spinnerets. Their legs are lighter in color comparison to their carapace. They are able to survive throughout the winter, by seeking refuge inside the homes. Their bites can be painful, but not lethal.

Species of Amaurobiidae

Amaurobius borealis

Callobius bennetti

Coras juvenilis

Coras lamellosus

Coras medicinalis

Coras montanus

Cybaeopsis tibialis

Wadotes hybridus

Wadotes tennesseensis

Family Antrodiaetidae – The Folding Trapdoor Spiders

These are thick-bodied spiders, so they are sometimes mistaken for tarantulas. They also have enormous black fangs which makes them look more formidable. Their bites can be pretty painful, but they were never proven to be too toxic as their poison glands are rather small. They build a burrow by digging a hole right through the ground, then closes both sides with a the silk rim, acting like a double-door. There it waits until a insect or a centipede comes at close range when it will leap out and strike.

Species of Folding Trapdoor Spiders

Antrodiaetus robustus

Atypoides hadros

Family Anyphaenidae – The Ghost Spiders

Anyphaena accentuata – a member of the ghost spider family

They are also known as the “wandering” predators and are usually seen protecting their egg sacs. Some members have a translucent body, thus they’re called “ghost spiders.” They also earned the name the “buzzing spiders” because of the drumming sound the male spider produces during the mating season.

Species of Ghost Spiders

Anyphaena celer

Anyphaena pectorosa

Arachosia cubanum

Wulfila saltabundus

Anyphaena fraterna

Hibana cambridgei

Wulfila albens

Anyphaena maculata

Anyphaena accentuata

Family Araneidae – The Orb-Weaver Spiders

This family is one of the three largest groups of spiders. Their webs are normally built vertically and are attached to branches, stems or man-made structures. These webs are typically large, spanning several feet and have the typical shape one thinks of when imagining spider web. Most of the time they are brightly colored and their legs are hairy or spiny.

Species of Orb Weaver Spiders

Acacesia hamata

Acanthepeira marion

Araneus alboventris

Araneus bonsallae

Araneus diadematus

Araneus guttulatus

Araneus iviei

Araneus marmoreus

Araneus niveus

Araneus partitus

Araneus pratensis

Acanthepeira cherokee

Araneus saevus

Acanthepeira stellata

Araneus bicentenarius

Araneus cavaticus

Araneus corticarius

Araneus gemmoides

Araneus juniperi

Araneus miniatus

Araneu nordmanni

Araneus cingulatus

Family Atypidae – The Purseweb Spiders

Also called Atypical Tarantulas, these spiders are medium-sized with dark coloring, and are known for their oversized chelicerae. Their stance is low and they have sprawling legs. Male purseweb spiders are known to travel long distances to search for a female during their mating season. Their babies, when hatched, look very similar to the adults.

Species of Purseweb Spiders

Sphodros atlanticus

Sphodros rufipes

Sphodos niger

Sphodos coylei

Family Clubionidae – The Sac Spiders

These spiders have good eyesight so they hunt for their prey rather than waiting for them in a web. Their eggs are protected by silk that looks like a sheet, and not a ball-shaped sac. These are sometimes protected by the females until they hatch in the spring.

Species of Sac Spiders

Clubiona bryantae

Clubiona catawba

Clubiona chippewa

Clubiona kastoni

Clubiona maritima

Clubiona mixta

Clubiona moesta

Clubiona obesa

Clubiona pygmaea

Clubiona quebecana

Clubiona canadensis

Clubiona johnsoni

Clubiona kiowa

Clubiona norvegica

Clubiona pikei

Clubiona kulczynskii

Family Ctenidae – The Wandering Spiders or Tropical Wolf Spiders

These spiders dwell on the ground and they can be normally seen running freely on low vegetation or on the soil surface. The males are typically more slender and smaller compared to the female.

Species of Wandering Spiders

Anahita punctulata

Family Ctenizidae – The Trapdoor Spiders

These spiders are generally found in Southern California and look like small tarantulas, only with shiny bodies. Their chelicerae contains spines that help them dig burrows, where they hide behind a trapdoor to wait for their prey. When prey goes near, the trapdoor will help the spider imprison it.

Species of Trapdoor Spiders

Ummidia tuobita

Family Cybaeidae – The Pond Spiders

These are medium-sized spiders who have fully adapted to the aquatic lifestyle. Their carapace range from pale to dark yellow-brown color. When submersed, the air trapped in their abdomen will give a silvery glow. Two of their legs contain very fine hairs that help them to swim. Unlike most species, their males are slightly larger than the females. At least one member of this family spends its entire life under water.

Species of Pond Spiders

Cybaeus giganteus

Cybaeota calcarata

Diving Bell Spider (Argyroneta aquatica)

Family Dictynidae – The Meshweavers

These are small, stout but heavily-haired spiders. Their body measures from 2-3mm, and never goes over 5mm. Some of their species can be found dwelling in herbs and foliage, yet others stay close to the ground.

Species of Meshweaver Spiders

Argenna obesa

Cicurina brevis

Cicurina cavealis

Cicurina ludoviciana

Cicurina minnesota

Cicurina placida

Cicurina robust

Cicurina arcuata

Cicurina itasca

Cicurina minima

Cicurina pallida

Dictyna bostoniensis

Dictyna coloradensis

Dictyna formidolosa

Dictyna minuta

Dictyna terrestris

Dictyna arundinacea

Dictyna brevitarsa

Dictyna foliacea

Dictyna longispina

Dictyna sancta

Dictyna bellans

Family Dysderidae – The Woodlouse Hunters

Unlike most spiders, they only have six eyes and the females don’t have genital plates. Their long chelicerae are very effective for hunting pillbugs, woodlice and sowbugs. They can usually be found hiding under logs and rocks, protected by a silk sheet.

Species of Woodlouse Hunters

Dysdera crocata

Family Gnaphosidae – The Ground Spiders

With almost 2000 species, these family claims the seventh largest group of spiders. They are also found on all continents but Antaractica in a variety of climates. Their spinners are large and clylindrical. Their abdomens do not have distinguishable marks and their color ranges from grayish-brown to black. Like most, they are also nocturnal so they can be found in their silken refuge during the day.

Species of Ground Spiders

Callilepis imbecilla

Callilepis pluto

Cesonia bilineata

Drassodes auriculoides

Drassodes neglectus

Drassodes saccatus

Drassyllus covensis

Drassyllus depressus

Drassyllus eremitus

Drassyllus fallens

Drassyllus frigidus

Drassyllus lepidus

Drassodes qosiutus

Drassyllus aprilinus

Drassyllus creolus

Drassyllus eremophilus

Drassyllus gynosaphes

Drassyllus nannellus

Drassyllus dixinus

Family Hahniidae – The Dwarf Sheet Spiders

Most of these spiders grow only from a range of 1.3mm to 6mm, although the majority do not go over 2mm. Their webs are made of very fine silk making them very hard to locate, unless they’re topped with dew. Unlike others though, the sheet do not serve as their retreat as they hunt in the open.

Species of Dwarf Sheet Spiders

Antistea brunnea

Cryphoeca montana

Neoantistea agilis

Neoantistea magna

Neoantistea riparia

Calymmaria cavicola

Hahnia cinerea

Family Linyphiidae – The Sheet Weaving Spiders

These family of spiders holds the second largest group with over 4000 species. It is considered as the most distributed spider group since they can thrive in any type of weather condition. They usually grow from 1 to 8.5mm and are mostly found near the ground. Other names for this family of spiders include “money spider” and “line weaving spider.”

Species of Sheet Weaving Spiders

Agyneta olivacea

Baryphyma longitarsum

Bathyphantes alboventris

Bathyphantes canadensis

Bathyphantes weyeri

Centromerus cornupalpis

Centromerus latidens

Allomengea dentisetis

Bathyphantes brevis

Bathyphantes pallidus

Blestia sarcocuon

Centromerus denticulatus

Baryphyma trifrons affine

Family Salticidae – The Jumping Spiders

With over 5000 species, this family claims the top spot for the largest family of spiders. Most of them thrive in tropical rain forests, but can be found in a variety of climates throughout the world. They can be easily mistaken as ants, and are thus sometimes called “ant-like” spiders. Unlike most spiders, they are active during the day and rest on a small web throughout the night.

Species of Jumping Spiders

Admestina tibialis

Agassa cyaena

Eris aurantia

Eris militaris

Eris flava

Eris pinea

Eris floridana

Evarcha hoyi

Ghelna canadensis

Habrocestum parvulum

Habrocestum pulex

Habronattus agilis

Habronattus borealis

Habronattus calcaratus

Habronattus captiosus

Habronattus cognatus

Habronattus decorus

Habronattus coecatus

Habronattus conjunctus

Admestina wheeleri

Attidops youngi

Ghelna barrowsi

Euophrys monadnock

There you have a big ole list of the types of spiders. I will keep building it as more spiders are discovered and as I get time as cataloging almost 50,000 species of spiders can take some time. Let me know if I’ve forgotten your favorite 8-legged friend.